Decalogue		The New Decalogue
(by 1906)		(by 1911)
Thou shalt no God but me adore: 'Twere too expensive to have more. No images nor idols make For Roger Ingersoll* to break. Take not God's name in vain: select A time when it will have effect. Work not on Sabbath days at all, But go to see the teams play ball. Honor thy parents. That creates For life insurance lower rates. Kill not, abet not those who kill; Thou shalt not pay thy butcher's bill. Kiss not thy neighbor's wife, unless Thine own thy neighbor doth caress. Don't steal; thou'lt never thus compete Successfully in business. Cheat. Bear not false witness – that is low – But "hear 'tis rumored so and so." Covet thou naught that thou hast got By hook or crook, or somehow, got.		Have but one God: thy knees were sore If bent in prayer to three or four. Adore no images save those The coinage of thy country shows. Take not the Name in vain. Direct Thy swearing unto some effect. Thy hand from Sunday work be held – Work not at all unless compelled. Honor thy parents, and perchance Their wills thy fortunes may advance. Kill not – death liberates thy foe From persecution's constant woe. Kiss not thy neighbor's wife. Of course There's no objection to divorce. To steal were folly, for 'tis plain In cheating there is greater pain. Bear not false witness. Shake your head And say that you have "heard it said." Who stays to covet ne'er will catch An opportunity to snatch.